1. A problem experienced... A Solution As Well... Yesterday afternoon, my son and I had fun clearing snow from the alley-entry as well as from the sidewalks on the corners of our street. A neighbor boy joined us to help, and had fun and exercise, too. Proposed Free Solution
Yesterday, my wife and kids and I walked from our home at about 39th and Pillsbury to church at about 31st and Aldrich in South Minneapolis. We crossed many intesections rendered impasable to stroller, wheelchair, or even to folks who might be feeble or frail. Several of the intersections and block-long stretches of sidewalk were nearly impassable to pedestrians, due especially to snow thrown onto them by passing plows.
My wife and I did daycare for a number of years together, and a part of our winter tradition was to take snow shovels and scrapers to the street corners while waiting for school busses. We kept the bus stops clear, and also had fun. We were very alert to traffic, and on residential streets this is usually manageable.
I believe it would make sense to organize snow removal teams to clear snow and ice on street corners as well as to help elderly or infirm neighbors who cannot shovel. Not only is this a method which can build community, but it also costs no money. Furthermore, as neighbors walk the streets to check the corners for ice and snow, neighborhood safety is enhanced.
In terms of snow removal, this inexpensive method is customized and location-specific. Only as much work is exerted on specific corners as is needed.
As for liability issues, my thought is that city lawyers could finesse some wondrous document that would make this an acceptable practice.
Like any solution this one is not perfect, but it is a direct citizen-involved solution to what I percieve as a widespread problem I have observed over 20 years as a Minneapolis resident.
Any thoughts?
Any takers?
Mayor and Council people - would this be a topic to take up when considering how to plan for next "snow season" - if we really get one?
-Gary S. Hoover - aka "Earth Friend"
Kingfield
Ward 10
PS. --
As an HPV trike rider, I've had little or no problem getting around the streets of Minneapolis during the past short 'bouts of winter-like weather. I have stopped numerous times to help folks "unstick" cars or trucks from the snow and ice.
I am astounded at how many people are dumbstruck when I appear - an apparition from another planet? - help them get unstuck - then ride away, undisturbed by snow, ice, or wind and cold.
We are indeed shaped by our choices about technology -- especially transportation technology and infrastructure. Our perceptual fields are so altered by our behaviours, and our choices slowly grow us into ill and illness-dealing monstrosities that we do not notice the evolution, and are unable even to see this when looking in the mirror.
We need collectively and individually to look in the mirror, to look at our city, and then to get on with the work of transformation. One step at a time. A neighborly hand here, a snow-shoveling hand there at the street corner.
This is as much about urban citizenship as any policy or program - perhaps it is at citizenship's heart.
GH - EF - KF - W10
